The Commissioner of Social Services shall seek a waiver from federal law to permit a person participating in the program established under section 17b-597 to remain eligible for medical assistance under the Medicaid program in the event such person is unable to maintain a work effort for involuntary reasons. No such person shall be required to make another application to determine continued eligibility for medical assistance under the Medicaid program. In order to remain eligible for such medical assistance, such person shall (1) request that such assistance be continued for a period not to exceed twelve months from the date of the involuntary loss of employment, and (2) maintain a connection to the workforce as determined by the commissioner during such period. At the end of the twelve-month period, such person shall meet the eligibility criteria for the Medicaid program, except that the commissioner shall disregard any assets specified in subdivisions (4) and (5) of subsection (b) of section 17b-597.